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Thursday, November 29, 2012

This Christmas Season...









 I think I've always been guilty. Rushing around always in a hurry to get things at a certain level of my idea of perfection, weekly tablescapes, handmade ornaments, fully decorated for the Christmas season, sometimes starting on Thanksgiving day, I'm embarrassed to admit....but this year, this year is different. It will be different, it's the 29th of November and I'm still looking at my fall mantle and not wanting to take it down.  I'm wanting to cling to the hands of time and beg them to stop. And I'm not talking about the business side of things, Lord, I started making Christmas wreaths in October....I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about what is in my head and heart that I want things to go slower.
Is it because I'm sick? That I don't want to rush around anymore? Because I've gotten older? I'm not that little girl in the picture above sitting beside her sister in her underwear...with her whole life ahead of her. I don't know how much time I have left, I know none of us do...but sometimes the realization of it overwhelms me. 
 I'm taking this season deliberately slow and gradual... I am going to look around a little more, enjoy a little more, pray a little more. I am going to do the things that my body allows me to do and not worry about the rest. It's just not that important. So, if you don't see me around here as much, just know that I am taking it one day at a time. I'm not taking hiatus or anything, I mean, the tree will eventually get up and I definitely want to share that with you and I've got lots of ideas and crafts to accomplish ....I think you know what I mean.
The new chemo regimen is not as bad as the first one, I mean I had chemo on Monday and it's Thursday and I'm not in bed...it's practically a walk in the park! Kidding.
I just want to encourage you and inspire you to take the season in stride, to really enjoy what is important to you in {your} life....to be a girl with pigtails in your underwear. :)  
2011-12-013

29 comments:

  1. Wishing you all the very best this holiday season! xo

    PS The photo of you & your sister is darling. :-)

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  2. I love the photo of you and your sister. So sweet! Take care of yourself and enjoy the holidays. Sending hugs and prayers.

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  3. I am more then inspired I am impressed by your strength ! So very happy this round has been better! Enjoy the moments that make our lives is something we all could do better at!

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  4. thanks! glad to see you're doing alright.

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  5. :) I've been feeling the same way this year. Take care.

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  6. I know what you mean by taking it slow and enjoying. I'm "older" now and totally enjoying the special moments with my Granddaughter (2.5 yrs old the best!). As a young mother I strived to make the perfect Christmas for my boys. Now I know better. In the blink of an eye this little girl will be grown and I want to make sure I enjoy every blessed moment. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas! Be well

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  7. You are so right Michelle. Time seems to fly by these days and we go, go, and go. We don't stop and enjoy it, do we?
    Praying for you always and for continued healing. Blessings to you

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  8. I too love the darling picture of you much younger, and I always appreciate your open sharing. You are fearless with the way you share here. I've written you many times as I want to encourage you by know we are praying for you at my house. It's precious how God brings people into your life and they touch your heart, even if you never physically meet. I know you are making a very good choice, for you and your family, to slow down and be there in the present this season. You and I are so similar! Thank you so much for sharing so deeply of yourself. I have been walking a very similar path myself and I love your posts. I'm proud of your attitude. I respect your sharing. I appreciate your giftings and how you share them with the world. I pray you really enjoy this season with your loved ones, and many more after that. You make a difference. You and your life have an impact for the good to others you will not meet in this world. I follow many blogs, but when I see there's a post from yours, I am excited to see how you are doing like you are a friend. I'm rooting for you and praying for you. God bless you!

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  9. What a great picture!!!
    Thank you so much for telling us so much about you, your family and your current bout with chemo. I have to say that I look forward to opening your page for so many reasons...but today, you hit the nail right on the head with life in general. Sometimes we go just way to fast, and many times we take life for granted. We need to enjoy every single day and moments in that day as if it were our last. Life is just way to short...so I agree with your statement....slow down and enjoy every moment and everything around you. I am praying for you and your family. And please keep adding those beautiful ideas, crafts and holiday cheers because they are so amazing!! You are truly a very special person...may God bless you and your family always....

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  10. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I intend to take your advice to heart and look for that little girl inside. Blessings to you this Christmas Season...each and every day. You are lovely.

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  11. I love your photo and your blog is so awesome. I am usually posting comments and doing SEO work. But I just can't on here. This is so thought through and we all need to stop, look around, enjoy all that is around us and take it all in a little slower. Fabulous blog. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

    Blessings....Heidi

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  12. You fill my heart with so many emotions - as if you were one of my daughters. I can't find the words I want to share with you, because they just don't come close to the warmth and ache in my heart for you Michelle. You are a beautiful soul, and so talented!!! Thanks for sharing with us.
    Terry in Milwaukee

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  13. I am slowing it down this year too. Trying not to work so hard at it and take time and enjoy it. I think of you often and I hope you are feeling as good as can be expected. Enjoy the season! Take care :)

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  14. love, love the picture! I'm praying for you and will continue :) So glad the chemo is a tad bit easier, if that's possible that's a good thing I would think.
    The wisdom you possess has come at such a high price. I wish for you a wonderful, wonder-filled season with your family this Christmas and for many, many more to come.
    hugs, Diane

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  15. I wish it would slow down as well.great post & love the pic!

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  16. Thank you for your inspiring words. Really, thank you! I hope and pray you have a beautiful holiday season with your loved ones.
    Praying for you every day, Sarah

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  17. Perfectly put. I for one believe in having my skirt blown up over my head any time I start getting too big for my britches.
    You are an inspiration my dear.
    Deb

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  18. Michelle, thank you so much for what you have shared and the perspective you bring. Time is the greatest gift of all and time spent with people you love is all anyone truly needs. Taking it in slowly and truly appreciating what is right in front of us is often the way to go.
    Wishing you the very best.

    do less, be more

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  19. Michelle, thank you for your insightful words. I am praying for your recovery. Xo

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  20. Michelle, Again you have put into words what so many of us need to hear. It is so difficult for us to live in the moment and appreciate the little gifts that life gives us every day. Sometimes it takes a huge life altering event to wake us up to what is truly important. Thank you for your honesty, strength and inspiring words. You continue to be in my prayers.

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  21. Thank you for all you share both with your talents and your heart. Wishing and praying for your health!

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  22. Love the photos of you and your sister. I have had some things come up this year that have made me step back and re-evaluate what is most important. I will be focusing on enjoying the season, not my crazy idea of a perfectly decorated home. We will be decorated but not at the cost of my sanity or health. Continuing prayers for you.

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  23. Michelle, I can't being to imagine what it is to be in your shoes. Thank the Lord, I've never had a life-threatening illness. Believe me when I tell you that I've had more than my share of heartaches (I'm talking real tragedies here)...and so my heart is a very compassionate one, and I am often overcome with sadness when I think about the load you are carrying during this season of peace. But, you, are a very strong young woman, and you are dealing with this in such an inspiring manner. I'll continue to think of you and pray for you, and hope that this Christmas will be the best one yet!

    Gloria in Virginia

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  24. Yes we all need to slow down and enjoy life....sending prayers and hugs

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  25. Great words of advice for all of us but especially meaningful as go through these days.Enjoy the day, enjoy the moment. Some things aren't important and some things are, slowing down will help you to determine which is which. Still praying for you.

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  26. Thank you Michelle for reminding me to focus on the special things and the truly wonderful things that make up Christmas...reading the Christmas story...today I read that a tiny book Micah 700 years before predicted Jesus the Messiah's birth in a tiny town of Bethlehem...He is using tiny things to show us BIG things too! Like pictures of a tiny girl who is now a strong woman of great value to us all... Blessings, In the tiny things too....Gwen

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  27. May God grant you a peaceful Christmas season. I enjoy your blog very much and look forward to all your exciting ideas!

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  28. I think it is both being sick and being older. When faced with mortality (our own or others we love)it seems to make other things seem so much less important than just finding peace in the moment, enjoying family and friends and finding time for nature and prayer. You teach us with this post. I hope the season moves quite slowly and that you savor every moment. I'm glad to hear that this chemo is better for you. Sending hugs and prayers.

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  29. I hope everything is going slowly for you and that you are truly enjoying the peace and beauty of the season.
    Blessings to you, and even when I don't comment, you are in my prayers.
    J

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Thank You for taking the time to comment! Because of the insane amount of spam comments, I had to stop anonymous comments-sorry for the inconvenience.
Michelle